Institut Esthederm INTENSIVE SPIRULINE CREAM
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingAlgae extract, Dimethicone + 9 moreGood evidence
“Read More Tired and lifeless skin is nourished and fortified thanks to this revitalising and radiance-boosting cream.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
algae extract, carnosine.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, algae extract.
Anti-agingCarnosine, Algae extractModerate evidence
“Face cream that reduces the signs of tiredness, regenerates and nourishes the skin.”
This product contains carnosine. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · CarnosineStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (carnosine) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Parfum, Linalool + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Cetearyl isononanoate~5.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and helps prevent moisture loss.
More about Cetearyl isononanoateGlycerin~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinDecyl oleate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Decyl oleateCetearyl alcohol~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCyclopentasiloxane~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxanePropylene glycol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolGlyceryl stearate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCetyl alcohol~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholDimethicone~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeTridecyl trimellitate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Tridecyl trimellitateTribehenin~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TribeheninSpirulina maxima extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Carnosine~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
More about CarnosineAlgae extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractDisodium adenosine triphosphate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl dibehenate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl glucoside~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerSteareth-21~0.4–0.65%
Glyceryl behenate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenateAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Bht~0.25–0.45%
Sodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Phenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Parfum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLinalool~0.2–0.35%
Benzyl salicylate~0.2–0.35%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.15–0.3%
Benzyl benzoate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateButylphenyl methylpropional~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalWater~0.15–0.3%
Disodium adenosine triphosphate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carnosine~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
More about CarnosineMineral salts~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicked product formulations. Might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin
More about Mineral saltsIngredient list view
Water, Cetearyl isononanoate, Glycerin, Decyl oleate, Cetearyl alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene glycol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Tridecyl trimellitate, Tribehenin, Spirulina maxima extract, Carnosine, Algae extract, Disodium adenosine triphosphate, Glyceryl dibehenate, Cetearyl glucoside, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Steareth-21, Glyceryl behenate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Disodium edta, Bht, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl salicylate, Hexyl cinnamal, Benzyl benzoate, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Water, Disodium adenosine triphosphate, Carnosine, Mineral salts
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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